Danny Pudi

Abed Nadir

Danny Pudi stars as Abed, the fast-talking pop-culture junkie on NBC's hit comedy "Community." In the show's first season, Pudi's Abed quickly emerged as a favorite of both fans and TV critics alike. Daily Variety recently named Pudi one of TV's Top 10: New Faces for Fall.

Pudi recently wrapped production on the independent horror feature "Knights of Badassdom," opposite Steve Zahn, Ryan Kwanten and Summer Glau. The film, from director Joe Lynch, follows a group of live-action role players who conjure up a demon from hell by mistake.

Half Indian and half Polish, Pudi was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. He graduated from Marquette University, where he was the recipient of the inaugural Chris Farley Scholarship. Pudi studied improv at Second City Chicago's Conservatory program and is a founding member of Siblings of Doctors, a trio of Indian-American comics that perform sketch comedy and improv at various comedy festivals around the country. His Los Angeles stage credits include "Huck & Holden" (Black Dahlia Theatre), NBC's "Diversity Showcase" (Falcon Theatre), "Token City" (Comedy Central Workspace) and the staged readings of "Loyalties" (Pacific Resident Theatre) and "Air Guitar High" (Pasadena Playhouse).

Pudi's other television credits include recurring roles on the hit dramas "Greek" and "Gilmore Girls," as well as guest-starring parts on "The Bill Engvall Show" and "ER." His recent film credits include Paramount's "Road Trip 2: Beer Pong" and the upcoming independent "Thunder Geniuses," from director Michael Clancy.

Pudi is an avid runner and also enjoys Yahtzee, vacuuming and drinking coffee. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Bridget.